Below is a brief note from D’s Soul Full Cafe on their annual toy drive to benefit the children of the Hoboken Boys and Girls Club…

Annual Hoboken Boys and Girls Club Holiday Toy Drive

Bring a new unwrapped toy to D’s Soul Full Cafe for our annual holiday toy drive for the Hoboken Boys and Girls Club

Bring a new unwrapped toy to D’s Soul Full Cafe for our annual holiday toy drive for the Hoboken Boys & Girls Club from now until 4:00PM on Saturday 12/15/12.

‘Tis the season to think of others. Yeah, yeah, it’s great to get gifts, but we think it’s even better to give. And nothing beats the smile of a kid getting a toy that he or she may not have gotten without the generosity of good people. People like you (yes we are flattering you to get you to give).

It’s time for our Annual Hoboken Boys & Girls Club Holiday Toy Drive!

Bring a new, unwrapped gift for a girl or boy (ages 5-15) to D’s Soul Full Cafe (918 Willow Ave, Hoboken) from now until 4:00PM on Saturday 12/15/12. One of our merry elves will then deliver them to volunteer wrappers at the Hoboken Boys & Girls Club.

The Boys & Girls Club works to inspire and enable young people from disadvantaged circumstances to realize their full potential. They try to reach children at an early age to provide them with positive alternatives to youth crime, gang membership, drugs, and other negative influences.

You can help this holiday season with a simple yet meaningful gesture of a gift for a boy or girl. Ages of the kids range from 5 to 15 and they’ll like games, arts & crafts, footballs, basketballs and (of course) video games but all gifts are welcome.

December 3, 2012

Here is a note from the Hoboken Family Alliance on their Toy Pajama and Book Drive initiatives to help those children impacted by Hurricane Sandy….

HFA Toy and Pajama Drive to help Kids Impacted by Hurricane Sandy

and Children in Need until December 23rd

Now more than ever, the HOBOKEN FAMILY ALLIANCE (HFA) is launching a major effort to help celebrate the holidays for children in need, within the age range of newborn to 17 years. We will be focusing on those children in the Hoboken / Hudson County area that have witnessed the devastating impact by Hurricane Sandy,as well as other children in need.

We appreciate all donations, both large and small, which will put some cheer into the holidays for those who may not receive a gift at all. To fulfill HFA mission, we hope to provide a nurturing environment to these children to help them be comforted and feel loved.

Recipients will include local organizations: Division of Youth & Family Services (DYFS), Hoboken Shelter, In Jesus’ Name Charities and York Street Project. If you have any questions or wish to be matched with an entire family in need to provide holiday gifts directly to them, please contact hfaphilanthropy@yahoo.com.

If you’d like to contribute, we have a number of ways to contribute to this worthy cause:

1) Pajama and Book Program

HFA is joining the nationally run Pajama Program to collect new pajamas and new books for homeless and needy children. By providing pajamas and books, we are helping to create a warm and nurturing bedtime environment for vulnerable children and young adults living under difficult circumstances. The Pajama Program, a 501(c)(3) charity, provides new pajamas and books to disadvantaged children, many of whom are waiting and hoping to be adopted Many of these youngsters have been abused or abandoned and in many cases have never enjoyed the simple comfort of having a loving mother or father tuck them in at bedtime. Through the Pajama Program, we hope to contribute to a warmer, more loving environment for these children.Pajamas must be new and unused for all sizes, infant to age 17. Larger sizes are preferred, but all are appreciated! Go to www.pajamaprogram.org for more information.

2) Toy Drive

HFA hopes this event to bring something special to the children and are asking that all donated gifts be new and unwrapped please. Toys will be collected for ages infant to 17. Any donation of any size brings holiday cheer for a child who may otherwise not have received any gifts. The items are given to families who cannot afford to buy presents, so the children can open a gift that is given to them by a loved one, not a charity.

3) Tax Deductible Monetary Donation to Pajama & Toy Drive

If you wish to make a financial contribution towards a Toy or Pajamas for a needy child, donations can be made at www.hobokenfamily.com/toydrive 100% of the amount donated will be used wards a tax-free purchase of a toy or a pajama. A tax deductible receipt will be generated to you.

How to Donate in Person: Both drives will run concurrently and have the same drop off locations: When: Saturday, Nov 17 – Sunday, December 23rd

If you have any questions contact hfaphilanthropy@yahoo.com. The HFA truly appreciates your generosity! The HFA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. All donations are tax deductible to the extent the law allows.

November 16, 2012

Big Fun Toys in Hoboken is hosting their first ever (event of it’s kind), a Toy Drive Kickoff Party, next Saturday Nov 24th from 10am-6pm. They are again supporting the HFA by being a drop-off for their annual Toy Drive that benefits the Jubilee Center, In Jesus Name Charities, and DYFS. They are also having a food drive to benefit In Jesus Name Charities, as well as guest musician, Polka Dot! aka Ron Albenese, Party Face Painting by Rachel, and letter-writing to Santa! They will be offering specials, giveaways, shopper rewards, and general fun all day long.

Big Fun toys is located at 602 Washington Street Hoboken, NJ 07030. Their phone number is 201-714-9575.

Editor’s Comment: Residents of Hoboken are urged to shop local when you can to help our local businesses that have been hit hard by by Hurricane Sandy in terms of flood damage or loss of business. Big Fun is a merchant that gives back to the community so if you can show your support to this merchant or any other Hoboken business, please do so as much as possible.

December 27, 2011

Today’s photo of the day is a pre-Christmas shot of the Toy Drive at D’ Soul Full Cafe in Hoboken. Other organizations did toy drives as well . The Boken hopefully made a young boy happy with a three in one remote control racer purchased locally at Hoboken’s Radio Shack. Kudos to the many people who gave generously during the holiday season.